Microservices: Examples, Advantages & Disadvantages

Microservices is an application development method widely utilized by various companies, particularly those operating in the digital realm.

From transportation service providers, e-commerce platforms, and numerous startup industries, this method stands out as the optimal solution for maximizing services and responding to customer requests more rapidly.

To understand what is a microservice, explore its architectural characteristics, and delve into the advantages and disadvantages of this architecture below.

What Is A Microservice?

Microservices is an architectural design in application development that breaks down a large application into small, interconnected service units.

This approach allows each service unit within the application to provide independent and distinct functions while still supporting each other.

To ensure the connectivity of all units or features within the architecture, development teams typically leverage Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).

Why Are Microservices Important?

According to Statista, at least 85% of companies have adopted the microservices architecture method in developing applications.

However, you might still be curious about what is a microservice and why this method is widely used by various companies, right?

Research by GlobeNewswire indicates that this app development architecture is highly beneficial as it significantly improves efficiency, cuts business expenses by up to 63%, and maximizes customer experience (CX).

With this method, companies can respond to market changes more quickly, accelerate the development and release time of an application, and enhance overall scalability.

Furthermore, this approach also allows development teams to focus on developing and improving specific parts of the application without disrupting its overall functionality.

Microservices Characteristics

Now that you're familiar with what are microservices, let's explore the characteristics of this development method below.

1. Simple Routing Process

Microservices involve breaking down a large application into micro features or services, simplifying the routing process. 

This micro feature can be developed, managed, deployed independently, and process requests without the need for extensive coordination with other features.

2. Multiple Components Inside

Another distinctive characteristic is the independence of each component or service. These components can include various aspects such as services, products, servers, and databases. 

To ensure the connection of these components, applications with this architecture typically use REST APIs that facilitate communication through the HTTP protocol.

3. Answer Business and Company Needs

It becomes one of the most suitable approaches for businesses in various niches as it enables strategic and flexible composition and arrangement. 

Since micro units in the application run separately, development teams can prioritize services that have a direct impact on the business's continuity.

4. Allows Operational Decentralization

The ability for operational decentralization means that this method provides high flexibility without dependencies between services. 

This decentralization also extends to the development process. It means that the development team has full freedom to choose development methods, tools, and development cycles that align with the specific needs of that service.

5. Adaptive and Flexible

With this approach, you can develop and update each service independently. Whenever new needs arise or there are changes in requirements, the development team can focus on the related service without compromising the overall application's integrity.

Monolith vs. Microservices, What’s the Difference?

Essentially, monolith and microservices are two opposing concepts. Monolith is a method that integrates all components within a single application server.

The monolith system is believed to be simpler because it prioritizes the same logic, server, database, and UI for each unit. 

Unfortunately, such an approach makes the monolith less flexible and vulnerable to comprehensive overhauls. If the server encounters issues, then the entire set of services will be affected.

The Advantages of Microservices

Here is a list of advantages you can expect from this method:

1. Facilitates Error Detection and Isolation

First thing first, it facilitates the error detection process and isolates errors to specific areas. 

Since each service operates independently, when an error occurs, the system can quickly identify the location and source of the error. 

Error isolation ensures that a mistake in one part of the system does not propagate and endanger the entire application.

2. Simplifies the Upgrade Process:

When an application is developed as a monolith, upgrades or changes to one part can impact the entire system, often causing delays. On the other hand, with micro architecture, the application upgrade process can be easier and minimize negative impacts on the overall system.

3. Flexible Framework Selection

Within this method, each feature in a company's service is built using technology optimized for specific tasks. 

This includes choosing various frameworks such as Kubernetes, Laravel, Docker, or even different programming languages like Java, Python, Objective-C, and others. 

In essence, this method is favored because development teams have more flexibility in building each infrastructure.

4. Simplifies the Maintenance Process

Each development team can focus on services within their expertise without the need to maintain the entire application, which would be time-consuming. 

Additionally, this architecture enables teams to adopt development methodologies such as Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) more efficiently.

5. Parallel App Development

Each architecture in this method can be developed independently by different teams without depending on each other. 

In addition to speeding up the development process, software development can become more modular and non-conflicting, thanks to structured source code management and control systems.

The Disadvantages of Microservices

Despite the many advantages offered by this method, there are also some disadvantages that you should consider before implementing it, such as:

1. A Complex Structure

Although the primary goal is to break down an application into smaller, independently manageable parts, the management process can be a challenge. 

In microservices architecture, the coordination between services becomes crucial to maintain data consistency and integrity while ensuring the continuity of services.

2. Advanced Monitoring and Debugging

With an increased number of services, monitoring and debugging tasks can become more complicated. 

Since the system consists of various separate components, monitoring must be distributed, and coordination between services requires more sophisticated tools and practices.

3. Overhead Communication

While it can enhance flexibility, excessive communication between each services can also introduce significant overhead. 

System performance can be affected if communication mechanisms are not well-optimized. 

Additionally, network disruptions can also cause issues in the interaction between services within this architecture.

4. Higher Development Costs

While its architecture can provide long-term benefits, the initial development cost is relatively high. 

The entire infrastructure is needed to support every service management, deployment automation, and monitoring tool, which often requires financial investment and additional resources.

What Else Needs to Be Developed?

You have already explored the definition of what is a microservice followed by its advantages and disadvantages in the above reviews.

It is important to note that businesses need to implement various strategies to maximize success in the digital realm. In addition to developing applications with this methdo, you also need to build an SEO-friendly website.

If you are planning to expand your business ecosystem digitally and need the assistance of experienced developers for development or website revamp, cmlabs can help you.

cmlabs provides service packages that will give you comprehensive benefits, ranging from SEO projections, and article writing based on expert advice, to website revamp services. Use cmlabs Service Packages and become a leading business in search engines.

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